A TEACHING assistant has published her first children's book.

Clare Osborne, 39, of Bridge End, in Great Bardfield, has written a time-travelling historical drama aimed at older children and young adults.

The book, Widurok, explores what happens when a boy disappears on the midsummer solstice and his sister's search for him.

Miss Osborne, who works at Stebbing Primary School, said: "I have always wanted to write a story, ever since I was a child.

"I wanted it to be educational and to have some kind of truth to learn from.

"I love reading and finding out about history and events that actually happened.

"I have always felt that there are so many fascinating untold stories about our ancestors, that I became compelled to write about and bring back to life a forgotten time."

Miss Osborne, who has always been interested in local history, had the book published on the midsummer solstice on Tuesday and is already in the process of writing a follow up story.

She said: "I chose to write about the kingdom of the East Saxons, Essex, not just because it was local to me, but because of the mysticism and legends of the Dark Ages.

"I wanted to share this history in the form of an adventure story and transport the reader on a journey back through time, to the world as it once was."

For a signed copy of Miss Osborne's book, published on Tuesday, visit Between the Lines bookshop in Vine Street, Great Bardfield at 8pm on July 8.

Widurok is available from Waterstones or ngsengland.com